In the All-Black-Fur-Coat Corner

weighing in at (probably about) 9 pounds, we have Reesey.

And in the Mostly-Black-With-A-White-Chest-And-Paws Corner, weighing in at 7.7 pounds, we have the new kid, Fritzy.

Ah, yes. Introducing a new cat to the household and to the existing cat of the home. Fun times. There's been some hissing and some growling and I'd say it's pretty evenly divided among the two. And now Fritzy is walking around the apartment, meowing, wanting to get out. Yeah, she's gonna get spayed ASAP.

And honestly, I'm not sure I want to keep her. She's a good cat, litter trained, very sweet but I didn't really want another cat at this time. It's just that no one else in the building was manning up and taking her inside. Sure, they were all feeding her but no one could take her in. So I did. It's too cold out there. So I'm gonna search for a home for her. We'll see what happens.

But for now, my Monster needs some peaches.

this Thanksgiving

i am thankful for a few things...
the air in her lungs.
the beating of her heart.
her gummy smile.
the way she looks for me.
the way she reaches for me and calms down when i hold her.
the way she tries to sit up from laying down.
the way she rolls over and over...
her laughs.
her beautiful blue eyes.
her life.

i couldn't imagine life without her. this time last year i felt her first inside kicks. i knew then that i would love her but i didn't realize just how much i would love her. i am so thankful for her and for so much more.

i love you, my little china doll.
happy 1st thanksgiving, cady-bug.

Constipation is the Devil. But Prunes are Friends.

Well as the title suggests, we had a bit of some horrible constipation going on over the weekend. Poor little Monster. It was rough. Let's just say that after a baking soda soak, white grape juice and PRUNES we are back to normal! Stupid rice cereal binds up little intestines. We're going to continue giving her fruit juices to help keep her regular. It was rough; but she's back to sleeping through the night now. Hooray!

So yes... today is the 19th. That means that Cady-bug is 5 months old already. Boy, how time flies! It's amazing. I'm in complete and utter shock over every little thing that this amazing, precious baby girl has learned and mastered. We are truly blessed. She has changed our lives in so many ways. This is true love. And she's definitely a Momma's girl :)

Today was a beautiful day. It was still a little chilly but the sun was shining and it was decent enough to take Monster out without too much covering. We took her to Target with us (I switched to their pharmacy today--$4 generics? heck yes!) and we got many compliments on her adorableness. She was rocking her new jacket that I bought at Children's Place, on sale for $6, see ----------------->

Let's see. If today is the 19th, that makes tomorrow the 20th... which means.... ONE MONTH TIL NEW MOON COMES OUT!! Ahh yes. Can't wait. We'll probably wait a few weeks to see it, and I'm making Bob go with us, which I'm sure there won't be much of a fight. (Bee Tee Double-U, Cady's on Team Edward, as is her father and so am I)

Well, even though I'm amused by Matt and Bob reading Cady "Fox in Socks" (even though it's really a competition between the two of them to see who can read it faster with fewer mistakes while Cady chews on her feet) I have a headache and I must put this to a stop. Good night for now... I leave you with a few new pictures (complete with captions).

Feeding my little birdy

Doing laundry...

It's like being eaten by Ms. Pac-Man! (She did it herself)

Let Us Talk About Germs

I don't have control over germs. And it scares the hell out of me. Cady's so little and her immune system is still growing, still maturing. I can only do my best and ask that family and friends who come in contact with us to do the same.



P.S.--I had written a different post, filled with all my little quirks and OCD-ness. But I deleted it because it made me look crazy :)

One Year Ago Today...

we got our first glimpse of our little one. And now, she's a healthy, happy, rolling, laughing, crying, teething, drooling, raspberrying, beautiful precious little girl. We had her at the doctor for her 4-month check-up 2 weeks ago and she was 12 lbs, 8 ozs and 24.5" long. And even though she's only gained 1 lb since her previous visit, the doctor wasn't concerned because everything looks great and she is far exceeding the milestones.

So it's been awhile since I've written. Let's see... my life revolves around Cady-bug. She is so much fun! She can not be left alone anywhere. And she seems to be able to "crawl" backwards, we just have to work on getting her to go forward. She loves her jumper, which usually ends up soaked from all the drool. About 2 weeks ago, we started her on rice cereal at bedtime. At first, it was the messiest thing ever. But it only took her a few days to get the hang of it. The doctor did say we don't need to rush the foods and when she's consistently taking 32+ oz a day, we can try bananas and applesauce. (Not there yet.)

Um, let's see. She's been sleeping through the night, except the past few nights have been rough. She's been very restless. I did notice a little 'flap' of gum that seems to be where something may be working it's way through so Monster's been getting Tylenol to help with the pain. Poor kid; I know teeth may take some time to get through but I'm hoping for her sake that it comes through quickly. She's definitely more irritable, clingy and drooly than previously.

Now for non-Monster related things. Hmm... we bought Matt a new car. I finally got my digital SLR. Reesey is bad. Nutmeg died :( We got 3 new guinea pigs: Velma, Hestor and Roxanne. I hate germs. My thyroid is controlled on the Levothyroxine 25mcg. I'm scheduled for a thyroid uptake scan (a 2-day test!) in February. From there we decide what to do (biopsy again! or leave it be). I hate thinking about more needles in my neck; it's not pleasant. I'm still undecided on what I want to be when I grow up. My parents had to have Max put to sleep :( and I miss the puppy. He was 15 years old and they had him cremated. And I think that's it. Oh, and Reesey's bad.

Well that's all I got for now. I leave you with a few pictures. Good night!

October 10, 2008. About 2cm long, with a flickering heart and a wiggling foot.

And few days ago. She can sit up on her own (sometimes).

Monster!

our babysitter

in case we forget what year she was born...

cady and one of her heroes, cousin nick

grandma and all her munchkins...

joey, cady, adrienne, and jacob

"I need a volunteer."

::shudder:: My boss' favorite phrase. It makes me cringe. Ya never know what you may be volunteering for. Could be something as simple as making a dozen or so copies of his latest published article or it could be something HORRIBLE... such as directly admitting a patient to the hospital. Again, I cringe. Needless to say, I don't volunteer much.



So why do I bring that up today? Well today was my first day back at work after having 7 weeks off. I was ready for it. I walked in to find about 2 inches of labs and dictated letters to be filed. I HATE FILING. However, I also hate seeing them sitting in the basket. So, after sorting through 3 days worth of faxes (hooray 3-day weekends) and consults and making sure the right doctor had the right info for the day, I started on the filing. And between answering the phones and handling that and refilling some prescriptions, I started filing. I did manage to get all of the labs filed before the end of the day. Tomorrow, I tackle the letters... however, tomorrow is a clinic day so we shall see how that goes... Also, someone (Jenny thinks it was the part-timer who is now FIRED because she was AWFUL) rearranged allllll of my stuff around my laptop. I was very irritated. First I had to sanitize everything and then put it back WHERE IT BELONGS. It is now back to being fully functional.



But yes. It was very strange to walk in and not see Christina or Lucy. They have left me. I'm slightly concerned... I did notice some things while I was filing that were still incorrect so we shall have to fix those things this week. 'Cause I ain't dealing with it. There's no time to fix mistakes. I could have shaved off maybe 15 minutes today from filing if there weren't things I had to fix or look up in the computer... not pleasant. And I noticed some things in the charts that are still incorrect... things better change. Anway... I miss them already :( It'll never be the same again.

Johnny Depp

is awesome.








(go see public enemies. do it. now. go.)

Grape Gatorade

is good.

FREEDOM...

thy name is Target.

i was freed today! i've been stuck in the apartment with the monster for the past week and a half STRAIGHT. now, don't get me wrong. i LOVE every precious minute with the monster and secondly, monster is my pet name for cady. why monster?? ever hear her right before she wakes up?? she's noisy. yeah, she's our little monster. anyway... i just had to get out. it was fantastic! it was only for about 2 hours but they were heavenly. i can't wait until monster can come with me.

sleep is getting better. matt handles nighttime feedings usually since i do the alllll day thing since he has work and school. not that it matters since it's been taking me 2 hours to fall asleep after i finally lay down. then of course i'm awake every time she wakes up. so, i guess sleep isnt getting better for me. matt seems to be functioning a lot better than i am. oh well.

the clan leaves for NC this friday night/saturday morning. jerks.......... JUST KIDDING!! i am jealous but i knew what i was getting into. besides, there is NO WAY we are missing next year! cady will be more fun then anyway. bob told me they want to take my twilight dvd.... no problem.... my only request: DON'T MAKE FUN OF IT!!!! heehee.

well i should really go start my 2 hours of nothingness now. monster is currently getting fed by her father and should hopefully be asleep shortly (for 4 hours would be nice). hopefully...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA................ i think i've finally lost it.....


(not that i had much to lose)

but damn, that was funny




(((***want to know what was soooo funny?? it could just be my sleep deprived state, but ask matt to read you "the three little kittens" from the big book of little... hi-freakin-larious***)))

Cadence Faith

Last Belly Picture... May 15th, 2009... 40 weeks

May 18th, 2009

FINALLY!!

Getting Cleaned...

Safe in Daddy's arms

GOING HOME!

My Cervix REALLY Hates Me

She's finally here! So I've been under some pressure (not really) to do some updating of this here blog. We'll start with my labor and delivery story...

On Sunday, May 17th, Matt and I headed to L&D at the hospital so my cervix could get softened via some kind of gel. At this point, I was still only finger-tip dilated (barely) and 75% effaced. The midwife who did the gelling seemed pessimistic that it would work (she is not part of my OB office). And she kinda talked down to Matt and I like we were stupid kids, which pisses me off more than anything. We may be young, but we are well-educated and informed. ANYWHO, so she did the gel and then I had to be monitored for 30minutes. That was boring and it was so freakin' hot in the room. And then the cramps started... they hurt, but it was more of an annoyance than anything--heck, I even drove us home. Later that night, though, the contractions became stronger and more frequent, but never enough to go back to the hospital. Besides, I was able to sleep through them so I was sure it was nothing major happening.

On Monday, May 18th, Matt and I headed back to L&D for our 8:00am "appointment". I got changed into my gown and hooked up to the fetal heart and contraction monitors. The doctor came in at around 8:30 to see what was going on. At that point I was 1 cm dilated and 90% effaced. The Pitocin was then started around 9:30am. And we waited... around some time my parents and sister came (my mom and sister were my 2 other support people). The doctor came back around 11:30 (I think) to see where things stood... and I was 3cm and 95% effaced (hooray)! And she decided to break my water to get things moving a little faster. The whole water breaking thing was not as bad as I had expected (the hook thing looks very terrifying) but the exam by the doctor was more painful. And then we waited...

A few hours after the water was broken, the contractions started to get worse. But it was all in my back... and back labor is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. I endured an hour or 2 of that pain but it was a constant pain and no matter how I moved or what I did, it never went away. At that point, I asked for the epidural, thinking it would take the anesthesiologist awhile to get to me... but it didn't... she was there within 20 minutes. And the relief was pretty instantaneous. However, I will state that getting an epidural is probably the scariest thing I did that night. All it takes is one little slip and BOOM, that's it. But it was probably the best thing I did... it allowed me to relax and enjoy my time there (I could still feel the contractions but they were dull and I couldn't feel the back labor anymore).

Throughout the whole night, I had a couple different visitors. My dad stopped in a few times, Matt's mom came in and out, Rose stopped by and so did Stevie and Amber. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done without them--they kept my spirits up and just plain entertained me. Especially Stevie, who sat by the contraction monitor and let me know when I was having one (even though I could still feel them) and when the blood pressure cuff would go off. I don't know what I would have done without his help... haha. And they were all very eager to get the show on the road... they didn't want to leave the hospital. So when I was checked at 10pm-ish and found to be 8 cm, almost completely effaced, things looked promising that I would be delivering within the next 2 hours. SIKE.

Things went... differently than we all thought from then on. I can't really remember times anymore. I do know that when I was checked again in 2 hours, I was starting to feel some pain. And I hadn't gotten any further. I had what is referred to as an "anterior lip" which is where the cervix is almost completely gone, except one tiny little portion that would disappear with each push but would come right back. The problem with that is that with all the pushing, the cervix can become swollen and you really don't want that. So they had me do some practice pushes, not all out pushes, to see if that helped with the cervix. And we did that for a few hours. At this point, I'm tired and hungry and testy. I was ready to have this baby!

Around 2 AM, I had to start pushing. By had to, I mean there was no way I couldn't push. They checked me again and I was in shape to start! The baby's head was still high but that just meant I would have to work harder to get her down. I started pushing; it was difficult at first, I'm not going to lie, but it wasn't too bad. And so I pushed. And I pushed. After pushing until 4am (yeah, 2 hours straight), I was hopeless. Luckily, my mom, Justina and Matt kept reassuring me that I could do it. At this point, the midwife, Renee and my L&D nurse Becca decided it would be best if we took a half hour break, try to get some sleep, as the baby's head was still high. Then they started talking about other options, such as the vacuum or c-section. (More on that then.) Somehow I did manage a 25 minute nap, as did Matt. Meanwhile, Mom, Dad, Justina, and Matt's mom were all waiting in the waiting room. Rose, Stevie and Amber had gone home a few hours prior.

When we woke up from our nap, I couldn't stop pushing. The pain and the immense pressure I was feeling was unbelievable. There was no way I could stop. So Becca went and got Renee out of surgery (she was assisting the doctor in a c-section) and they told me to go for it. After another half hour or so of pushing, Cadence Faith FINALLY made her appearance at 5:09am after almost 3 hours of pushing. And as soon as she was here, all the pain and pressure and everything else went away. After Matt cut the cord, they placed her on my chest. And she was (is) beautiful. She was nice and pink, had a good crying going on. And I told her "It's about time kiddo." Then they took her to the warmer and to get her measurements. Those were a shock: 7lbs 13.6oz, 21" long. ??! Almost 8lbs... they were predicting a big baby but good golly! She was breathing a little irregularly so we did some skin-to-skin time and she shaped right up.

We spent some time in the L&D room, I was FINALLY able to eat breakfast (confession: I had 3 breakfasts that morning). Then we went up to the 9th floor to our "home" for the next 2 days. My OB came in to see me... she couldn't believe it had taken all night. Cadence was in the nursery; her doc came in to tell us that she was beautiful (I'm sure they say that to all new mothers but it still felt great to hear). Cady did have a hematoma on her head, but it was probably from all the pushing and would go away on its own (and it has). The doctor thought he heard a small heart murmur but I didn't believe that for a second. With as many ultrasounds and NSTs we had, if she did have a murmur, I'm sure one of those tests would have picked up on it. So I just dismissed that. And then we slept. Slept as much as we could anyway... nurses were in and out to check on my stomach/uterus and bleeding situation (I think I bled more during delivery than is normal). And that is my labor and delivery story! It was hellish at times... but soooooooooo worth it.

My Husband

has a man-crush on _______ ________. I am SO not announcing who it is... he would not be happy. I don't even think that he's aware he has a man-crush on this person. And it's not someone you'd think he'd have a man-crush on--not someone like Vin Diesel, Mark Wahlberg, Robert DeNiro, Sylvester Stallone, or Al Pacino just to name a few. Ahhh, this is great. And it's all my fault... no, wait, I take that back--it's Christina's fault. Heehee.

In other news, my NST went just fine this morning. A few contractions, which I'm supposed to keep an eye on and start timing when they become painful (right now, they are just annoying, no pain at all). My cervix is still closed (boo) but is softening up a bit. So maybe the gel on Sunday will do the trick and we won't need the Pitocin. We go to L&D at 10:00 on Sunday morning... exciting. Sooo close!

Tonight, we are going to see Wolverine. Last night, we went out to dinner. I don't know what we'll do tomorrow (I will definitely be sleeping as late as possible). Last few days of 'freedom'. But I am READY for our baby girl... now if my body would just cooperate...

HAPPY DUE DATE TO ME!

No,

no it wasn't.

Mucus Plug...

was that you???

My Cervix Hates Me

LOL... and I'm seriously okay with it. I had my 39week, 4day check-up today and my cervix is completely closed still. My doctor doesn't seem to think my body is going to do this on its own so here's the plan: NST on Friday at 8:00am to check her heartbeat and any contractions I may be experiencing... Sunday, we head to L&D for some cervical softening gel (sexy), I'll be monitored for a bit and then sent home... Monday we return to L&Dfor our (well, my) Pitocin drip (and Penicillin). !!!! That's right, after my ranting about inductions, I'm being induced. lol IRONY--I does it. But, I'm okay with it. I know she is ready, but my body apparently isn't. And I know my doctor is being cautious because of the whole Group B strep thing and hypothyroid crap and what not. And I appreciate that... and I trust my doctor 100%. (He's also the one who predicted when Adrienne would be here, and he was right.) Besides, I didn't beg for this; I didn't even bring it up, the doctor did. And we'll be 40weeks, 3 days so I know she'll be "cooked" as my mom put it when I told her the plan.



Matt seems to be excited (obviously). But I think knowing that the doctor doesn't expect her here before then and there's a good, solid plan in place, he's more relaxed. So I get one final week of work in (my last with Christina--I could cry) and Matt gets the rest of this week plus the weekend and then he's taking 2 weeks off; I get 7. And now I have time to finish the book I just started (haha) and honestly, I know she could still make an appearance on her own, but, I doubt it. I'd be totally and completely shocked (as everyone else would be). So now we just take it one day at a time... as we have been this entire time so far.

**panic attack to start in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... just kidding... that'll come later**

39 weeks down... 1 (hopefully) to go!

Ultrasound picture from December 23rd.

Hooray! We're almost there!! Soon we'll get to see what this little one looks like... how big she is, how much she weighs and all that good stuff! I am excited... a little nervous too, but mostly excited. On Tuesday I have my next OB appointment... this time they WILL be doing an internal to see where things stand. So hopefully I'll get some good news and we won't have to discuss other options (which I'd like to avoid if possible. Ya hear that kiddo? You need to come out on your own.. no induction or c-section for you!)

So I have really been thinking about things regarding this pregnancy. And I am truly blessed to have had such a... healthy pregnancy compared to some ladies. I mean, yeah, there was the whole hypothyroidism and the gazillion ultrasounds because of it and the couple spotting issues I had throughout... but, once my thyroid was controlled, there was no real issue. (And my OB and endocrinologist were on that problem like white on rice, yo.) And the spotting always turned out to be minor cervical irritation and resolved on its own. And here I sit, 39 weeks pregnant, just waiting for her to arrive, knowing that she should have no problems when she gets here. Then I think about H, Rose and Margaret's friend, who at this moment is laying in L&D, having just delivered her little boy at 33ish weeks, due to some severe health complications. Poor little guy will probably be in the NICU for a few weeks... I cried when I heard she was in the hospital; I cried when I got the message from Rose that they were inducing H today. I cried and then I prayed. I prayed for strength for H, her husband and their little one. It breaks my heart to think of the pain they must be going through--this should be a happy time for them! It's just not fair... so next time you hear someone who is full-term, begging for an induction or c-section just because it's more convenient for them, not because of any health problems, tell them to STHU--at least they made it to full-term without major issues.

I, for one, am very, very, very, very grateful to have made it to where I am now. I know a lot of women never make it to this stage due to various complications and their little ones end up spending weeks and weeks in the NICU. Matt, Cadence and I are truly blessed. I will continue to pray for H and her new family and I ask that you please do the same. Have a good night.

~loretta faith

38 weeks, 4 days Pregnant...

and no internal exam at my appointment today. I haven't had an internal since they did my GBS at 36 weeks. And at that point, my cervix was still completley closed (obviously). I'm a little miffed. Well, more than a little really. First, my appointment was at 9:15. Being the good patient I am, I was there at 9:00. I wasn't called back until about 9:20 and then I sat in the room, waiting for the doctor until around 9:50ish. He came in, we "talked" for a little bit and then he was gone--in about 2 minutes. He told me that she's still head down (I could have told him that based on her movements) and that my weight and BP look good (that too, I could have told him). I am still very irritated about this. Don't you think that at 38 and a half weeks pregnant they should check? I mean really... labor could start ANY day now... and being GBS positive, I'd like to know if there's even the slightest change in my cervix so that I can be better prepared. This whole positive GBS scares the crap out of me... yeah the penicillin will help but only if I get it in time. ::sigh:: I feel like crying.

So another little lovely speed bump... our crib was recalled. Yeah, our crib. Where our baby is supposed to sleep, safely and soundly. So now we have to get a voucher from the manufacturer in order to get a new crib. It took us forever to decide on a (first) crib--I'm talking weeks and weeks of looking around, reading reviews (ha! look how much those good reviews helped out now) and all that good stuff. And once we get the voucher, we're stuck buying a new crib from Babies R freakin' Us... and they only have one other black crib. It's nice and all, we had actually considered buying it before we picked the recalled one, but it's bigger and the finish is a little different. I hope it matches the dresser... First the travel system now the crib. Luckily, we have a bassinet (which hasn't been recalled yet) for her first month or two. I'm getting tired of all this--it's ridiculous. Why don't they test this stuff before they sell it--it's for BABIES for crying out loud!!!!!

So part of me is ready for her. But with everything going the way they are, I'll probably end up being overdue. And with everything going to hell, I'd prefer she stay in there for another week or so--gives us more time to figure out everything for her. We can't seem to win right now. I guess it can only get better from here though. We shall see.

let's talk about this baby...

Well we are almost there! Friday will mark our 38th week which leaves just 2 to go! We are so excited and so ready to meet our little girl... well, as soon as we get the dresser we'll be "officially" ready. (It should be ready by tomorrow to be picked up Saturday... or so I've been told.) All of her clothes and bottles and bedding and all has been washed; our hospital bags are packed and waiting, with the carseat, by the door. (We do plan on putting them in my car sometime soon but with it being as hot as it was, I don't want anything in the bags to melt... not that I can recall anything that would melt, but that's not the point.) Let's see... I have no major complaints aside from the sciatic nerve pain that randomly comes and goes and makes me want to cry. I have never felt pain like that before... yeah, I know, "wait until labor" blah blah blah. At least with labor, I know the end result will be GREAT and well worth it--with the sciatic pain, the end result is me falling onto the couch or chair in agony, crying because I can't get up to pee. Oh, and with labor, there are wonderful, magical drugs to help me through it. Tylenol only does so much for the s-pain (since it's not an NSAID--Google it). It is kinda funny though--patients feel SORRY for me when they see me hobbling along or trying to get up... it's sweet. There they are, possibly staring down dialysis and yet, they feel sorry for me. Kinda sad though--my pain is temporary--theirs may last, unless they get a new kidney. ::sigh::

This kiddo moves constantly. I love it. The Braxton-Hicks... yeah, don't love them as much. They've been getting more frequent and stronger and I've been getting more and more cramps lately. My next appointment is Cinco de Mayo and they'll do another internal then so we'll see what (if anything) is cooking. I'm in no rush--as much as I'd like her to get here and to relieve the pressure on my nerve/butt, I know she'll make her appearance when she is good and ready.

Well, that is all I have to say for now. Now I attempt to sleep... wish me luck on that!

Well well well...

lookey at what we have here! Now I can entertain the masses somewhere other than Myspace. (Entertain or annoy--it's your call really.) That's all for now... I'm sure I'll have something else to say shortly.